Visit the dedicated habitat of the giant pandas and watch these much-loved animals as they move around, feed, or rest.
- Recommended duration: 15–30 minutes
- Access: Included with Berlin Zoo admission.
- Highlight: Home to Germany's only giant pandas.
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Quick overview
- Ways to explore: Choose a flexible day ticket for self-guided access to Berlin Zoo, including its animal houses and public feedings.
- Queues and access: Book online to skip the ticket-purchase queue and head to the entrance with your digital ticket but entry checks still apply.
- When to book: Same-day tickets are generally available if the date has not sold out.
- Good to know: Aquarium admission is not included. Zoo entry is valid for one admission, and your selected time slot controls arrival, not visit duration.
- When to book: Same-day tickets are usually available but book earlier for online savings and to secure your preferred date. June through August coincides with Berlin's busy summer travel season, so book online ahead of your visit if traveling then.
- Plan your visit: Arrive in the morning to give yourself more time for the animal houses and feeding schedule. Check seasonal closing times before visiting.
What to expect at Berlin Zoo
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A remarkable range of wildlife
Discover around 20,000 animals across nearly 1,200 species, from giant pandas and elephants to gorillas, hippos, rhinos and penguins.
Outdoor habitats and animal houses
Move between open-air enclosures and themed spaces such as Panda Garden, Empire of Cats, World of Birds and Rhino Pagoda, each offering a different way to observe wildlife.
Daily feedings and training sessions
Watch selected animals during scheduled, keeper-led sessions, including the panda talk. Check the daily feeding and training schedule before your visit, as timings and sessions can vary.
A flexible, self-guided visit
Follow the zoo map to find your way around, choose the habitats that interest you and pause for feeding sessions or breaks. Allow around 3–5 hours to explore comfortably.
A family-friendly day out
Along with animal exhibits, younger visitors can enjoy the adventure playground and Hans im Glück petting zoo, while restrooms and baby-changing facilities are available around the grounds.
Things to know before booking your Berlin Zoo tickets
- Your ticket covers the zoo only: Get one-day admission to Berlin Zoo, including its animal houses and public feedings. Aquarium Berlin requires a separate ticket or a Zoo + Aquarium combo.
- Choose your entry time carefully: Your selected time slot determines when you can enter, not how long you can stay. You can explore until the zoo closes, but your entry slot cannot be changed after purchase.
- Guided vs. self-guided visits: The standard Berlin Zoo day ticket lets you explore independently using the zoo map and feeding schedule, with no fixed route or group itinerary. If you prefer a more structured experience, Berlin Zoo also offers guided options, including public themed tours, private or exclusive tours, and VIP experiences with guided storytelling and behind-the-scenes elements. These require separate bookings and are not included in your standard Berlin Zoo day ticket.
- No re-entry after exiting: Berlin Zoo day tickets are valid for one admission only. Once you leave the zoo, you cannot return on the same ticket, so plan your visit and breaks accordingly.
- Children need adult supervision: Children under 12 must be accompanied and supervised by an adult throughout the zoo. Admission is free for children under 4, but a free online ticket should still be booked.
- Book online for easier entry: Digital tickets can be scanned directly from your phone at the entrance. Online booking also avoids the on-site ticket-purchase queue and can offer lower prices than buying at the ticket booths.
Explore Berlin Zoo
Panda Garden
Empire of Cats and Creatures of the Night
Explore the big-cat habitats before heading downstairs to discover the darker world of nocturnal animals.
- Recommended duration: 20–35 minutes
- Access: Included with Berlin Zoo admission.
- Highlight: Combines big-cat viewing with a dedicated nocturnal animal area. The lower level has stairs and elevator access.
World of Birds
Discover a variety of bird species in this dedicated bird house, including a low-lit area for nocturnal birds.
- Recommended duration: 15–25 minutes
- Access: Included with Berlin Zoo admission.
- Highlight: The nocturnal bird section offers a different viewing environment from the rest of the house.
Rhino Pagoda
See the rhinoceroses in indoor and outdoor viewing areas, with the distinctive pagoda-inspired architecture adding to the experience.
- Recommended duration: 10–20 minutes
- Access: Included with Berlin Zoo admission.
- Highlight: One of the zoo's recognizable themed animal houses, with an accessible sound station.
Hippo Bay
Observe the hippos across indoor and outdoor areas, and consider timing your visit around a public feeding session.
- Recommended duration: 10–20 minutes
- Access: Included with Berlin Zoo admission.
- Highlight: One of the zoo's public feeding and presentation stops.
Primate House
Spend time observing the zoo's primates in an indoor setting, offering a change of pace from the open-air habitats.
- Recommended duration: 15–25 minutes
- Access: Included with Berlin Zoo admission.
- Highlight: A useful indoor stop for closer primate viewing.
Penguin Hood
Visit the penguin-focused area and watch these recognizable birds in their dedicated habitat.
- Recommended duration: 10–15 minutes
- Access: Included with Berlin Zoo admission.
- Highlight: Features an accessible sound station for visitors.
Antelope House
Explore the animal exhibits inside this historic building and discover more about the zoo's past through its permanent history exhibition.
- Recommended duration: 10–20 minutes
- Access: Included with Berlin Zoo admission.
- Highlight: Opened in 1872, it is the zoo's oldest surviving building and houses the Berlin Zoo Histories exhibition.
Petting Zoo Hans im Glück
Let younger visitors get closer to farm animals before taking a break at the nearby playground.
- Recommended duration: 15–30 minutes
- Access: Included with Berlin Zoo admission.
- Highlight: A family-friendly stop with a playground nearby.
Elephant House
Stop by the elephant area to observe these large mammals and check whether a public feeding session fits into your route.
- Recommended duration: 10–20 minutes
- Access: Included with Berlin Zoo admission.
- Highlight: One of the zoo's public feeding stops.
Eagle Canyon
Explore the bird-of-prey area and observe these birds in a more open habitat setting.
- Recommended duration: 10–15 minutes
- Access: Included with Berlin Zoo admission.
- Highlight: Offers a different experience from the zoo's indoor bird-focused areas.
Aquarium Berlin
Extend your wildlife visit with an indoor attraction dedicated to aquatic life and other animal exhibits.
- Recommended duration: Allow around 1–2 hours as a planning estimate.
- Access: Not included with standard Berlin Zoo admission. Requires a separate Aquarium ticket or a Zoo + Aquarium combo ticket.
- Highlight: Spot sharks, rays, and colorful tropical fish in Aquarium Berlin's marine exhibits.
Book Berlin Zoo standard admission tickets >
What to see at Berlin Zoo
Giant pandas
Meet Berlin's famous panda family, including twin cubs born to Meng Meng in 2019, the first pandas ever born in Germany.
Explore Aquarium Berlin
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Extend your zoo visit underwater
Add Aquarium Berlin to your day for an indoor wildlife experience beyond the zoo's outdoor habitats. Entry is available separately or through a Zoo and Aquarium combo ticket.
Access: Extra ticket required.
Discover aquatic life
Explore aquarium displays and observe a variety of aquatic animals in carefully maintained underwater environments.
See larger underwater species
Look out for larger aquatic animals, including sharks, as you explore the aquarium's marine displays.
Watch underwater movement
Take time to observe aquatic animals as they swim through their habitats, offering a different perspective from the zoo's land-based enclosures.
Make it an indoor wildlife stop
Aquarium Berlin adds an indoor element to your day, making it a useful complement to the zoo, particularly when you want a break from outdoor exploration.
Plan your visit to Berlin Zoo
- Berlin Zoo is open every day of the year. Opening hours change seasonally:
- Jan 1–Feb 22: 9am–4:30pm
- Feb 23–Mar 29: 9am–6pm
- Mar 30–Sep 20: 9am–6:30pm
- Sep 21–Oct 25: 9am–6pm
- Oct 26–Dec 31: 9am–4:30pm
- Jan 1–Feb 22: 9am–4:30pm
- Last admission: Generally 1 hour before closing.
- Animal houses and restaurants: Generally close 30 minutes before the zoo.
- Recommended duration: Allow around 3–5 hours for a comfortable zoo visit. Add more time if you're visiting Aquarium Berlin separately or with a combo ticket.
Address: Hardenbergplatz 8, 10787 Berlin, Germany | Find on maps
Getting there
Berlin Zoo is easy to reach by public transportation. Zoologischer Garten station is the most convenient stop for most visitors.
- U-Bahn: Take the U2 or U9 to Zoologischer Garten station. Walk around 3–8 minutes to the entrance.
- S-Bahn and regional trains: Get off at Zoologischer Garten station (S3, S5, S7, S9 or regional services). The entrance is around 3–5 minutes away.
- Bus: Get off at Zoologischer Garten / Hardenbergplatz. Walk around 2–5 minutes to the entrance.
- Taxi or rideshare: Ask to be dropped off at Hardenbergplatz, near Löwentor. The entrance is around 1–3 minutes away.
Berlin Zoo has two main visitor entrances. Choose based on how you're arriving and where you'd like to start.
- Entrance 1: Lowentor
- Best for: Visitors arriving by train, bus or from central Berlin
- Access notes: Located by Hardenbergplatz and Zoologischer Garten station. The most practical entrance for public transportation arrivals.
- Best for: Visitors arriving by train, bus or from central Berlin
- Entrance 2: Elefantentor
- Best for: Visitors who want to enter through the zoo's iconic historic gate
- Access notes: Located on the opposite side of the grounds. It is also the only exit that remains open after admission closes.
- Best for: Visitors who want to enter through the zoo's iconic historic gate
Note for online tickets: Have your digital ticket ready to show at the entrance for validation. You do not need to exchange a standard online Berlin Zoo ticket at the ticket counter first.
- Restrooms: Available at several points around the zoo.
- Baby-changing facilities: Available for families visiting with infants.
- Food and drinks: On-site options include Restaurant Waldschänke, Zoo-Talia and the Waldschänke ice cream parlor.
- Play areas: Children can enjoy the adventure playground near the petting zoo.
- Strollers: Suitable for getting around the zoo. Handcarts can be brought from home but are not available to rent.
- Accessible entrances: Both main entrances, Lowentor and Elefantentor, are accessible.
- Wheelchair access: Manual wheelchairs are available to borrow free of charge with an advance reservation.
- Navigating the zoo: Much of the zoo is accessible, but cobblestones, uneven paths, thresholds and historic buildings may make some areas harder to navigate.
- Animal houses and exhibits: The lower level of Empire of Cats has both stair and elevator access. Some areas, including parts of the Primate House, have steeper ramps.
- Start early: Visit Panda Garden earlier in the day if seeing the pandas is a priority.
- Check the feeding schedule: Plan around public feedings and training sessions, as timings can vary.
- Save time for indoor houses: Animal houses close 30 minutes before the zoo, so don't leave them until the end.
- Plan your exit: Elefantentor is the only exit available after admission closes.
- Follow photography rules: Avoid using flash inside animal houses.
- Know the restrictions: Dogs, bicycles, scooters, skates, balls and balloons are not permitted. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Nearby attractions to pair with Berlin Zoo
Make the most of your day in Berlin by pairing your zoo visit with another popular attraction. Here are three options that offer a different experience for families, children and evening visitors.
Madame Tussauds Berlin
Distance: Approx. 4 km (15–20 min by public transport)
The experience: Explore themed galleries filled with lifelike wax figures of celebrities, historical personalities and well-known public figures.
Best for: Families, pop culture fans and visitors looking for an interactive indoor attraction.
Why this combo works: After spending hours exploring animal habitats outdoors, enjoy a change of pace with photo opportunities and interactive displays indoors.
LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Berlin
Distance: Approx. 3.5 km (15–20 min by public transport)
The experience: Discover a family-focused indoor attraction with LEGO building activities, interactive play areas and miniature Berlin landmarks.
Best for: Families with children, especially young LEGO fans.
Why this combo works: The zoo offers wildlife encounters and outdoor exploration, while LEGOLAND adds hands-on creativity and indoor play. Together, they make a varied family day out.
Friedrichstadt-Palast
Distance: Approx. 4 km · 15–20 min by public transport
The experience: Catch a large-scale stage production featuring elaborate costumes, dance performances and spectacular visual effects.
Best for: Couples, adults and visitors looking for an evening entertainment experience.
Why this combo works: Explore the zoo during the day, take a break, and end your itinerary with an evening show. Check performance timings before planning your visit.
Frequently asked questions about Berlin Zoo tickets
Your Berlin Zoo day ticket includes entry to Berlin Zoo, access to its animal houses, and public feedings. You can explore independently using the zoo map and feeding schedule.
No. The standard Berlin Zoo day ticket covers Berlin Zoo only. You need a separate Aquarium ticket or a Zoo and Aquarium combo ticket to visit both.
Yes. Giant pandas are part of the regular zoo visit, so you do not need a separate ticket or upgrade to see them.
Not usually. Standard Berlin Zoo day tickets can generally be booked on the day of your visit, subject to availability. Booking online ahead of time helps you plan.
No. Your time slot determines when you can enter, not how long you can stay. You can explore until the zoo closes.
Berlin Zoo online tickets help you avoid the on-site ticket-purchase queue. They do not guarantee priority entry or allow you to skip every queue.
No. Standard Berlin Zoo day tickets are valid for one admission only, so plan your visit before leaving the zoo.
Allow around 3–5 hours to explore the main habitats and animal houses at a comfortable pace. You may want longer for a more leisurely visit.
